Toronto Blue Jays: Comparing Past to Present Postseason Rosters

Oct 1, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of Rogers Centre during the ninth inning of a game between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of Rogers Centre during the ninth inning of a game between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Blue Jays
Aug 21, 2020; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker (34) delivers a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports /

2020 Starting Pitchers

Hyun Jin Ryu

Robby Ray

Matt Shoemaker

Taijuan Walker

Chase Anderson

2020 Relievers

Anthony Bass

Rafael Dolis

Ryan Borucki

Nate Pearson

A.J. Cole

Thomas Hatch

Anthony Kay

Ross Stripling

If this pitching staff was intact in 2022, this team is last in the AL East. It’s remarkable how far this staff has come, from relying on Chase Anderson and notable roster omission Tanner Roark, to having a group headlined by Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman. This was of course Hyun Jin Ryu’s best year as a Blue Jay, as he led the team in bWAR and was dominant night after night. Robbie Ray wouldn’t be a massive game changer, but his positive impression on the organization that summer would compel him to be the first free agent to sign that following offseason, and of course go on to win the Cy Young award in 2021. Matt Shoemaker missed time with an injury in 2020, but was healthy in time to start game one of the Wild Card Series. Shoemaker would throw three scoreless innings, followed by another three innings from Ray. Taijuan Walker would be an asset for the Jays down the stretch, but missed out on pitching in the playoffs.

The bullpen turnaround has been incredible to say the least. The reliever’s efforts were spearheaded by the likes of Dolis and Bass that 2020 season. Other notable contributors included A.J. Cole and Thomas Hatch, as all four of these men were top 12 in bWAR on the club during that COVID shortened year. This success was short lived however, as almost all of the aforementioned relievers would have little to no success from 2021 on. The two remaining include Anthony Bass and Ross Stripling, with the former having been reacquired at the deadline and the latter now in the starting rotation.